Federal Judge Apologizes After Criticizing Justice Alito Over Flag Displays

Judge Michael Ponsor admitted to violating judicial ethics with an op-ed accusing Justice Samuel Alito of eroding public trust in the judiciary.

U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor published an op-ed in May criticizing Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for flying controversial flags at his homes.
The flags included an upside-down U.S. flag and a Revolutionary War-era 'Appeal to Heaven' flag, both of which have been linked to political protests and the January 6 Capitol attack.
An investigation by Chief Judge Albert Diaz determined that Ponsor's public comments violated the judiciary's code of conduct by diminishing public confidence in judicial impartiality.
Ponsor issued a public apology, acknowledging his ethical lapse and committing to avoid similar actions in the future, while Alito denied involvement in the flag displays, attributing them to his wife.
The incident has reignited calls for a binding code of ethics for Supreme Court justices, who are currently exempt from the rules governing lower federal judges.